Review meeting to focus on raising fish production, strengthening market linkages, expanding aquaculture and developing the fisheries value chain

The Department of Fisheries, Government of India, will hold an apex-level review meeting on the development of fisheries and aquaculture in West Bengal in Kolkata on 21 September 2026, co-chaired by Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

The meeting, being organised after more than a decade at the apex level, will focus on developing a roadmap to tap West Bengal’s fisheries potential through higher production, aquaculture expansion, stronger market linkages and value-chain development.

Key Highlights

• West Bengal produced 25.43 lakh tonnes of fish in 2025-26.
• Around ₹617 crore has been invested under various fisheries schemes in the state.
• More than 30 lakh fisherfolk have benefited through livelihood and fisheries ecosystem development.
• 34 fisheries production and processing clusters have been notified in West Bengal, including a dry fish cluster in Purba Medinipur.
• Review to focus on production enhancement, aquaculture, technology, infrastructure, investment and market access.
• Administrative Approval for Integrated Reservoir Development in West Bengal will be handed over during the meeting.
• Centre and State will examine measures to strengthen Fisheries Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) and fisheries cooperatives.
• Digitisation of the fisheries sector and technology-led development will also be discussed.

Centre-State Review to Examine Fisheries Development

The review meeting will bring together officials and institutions from the Centre and West Bengal, along with representatives from fisheries research, financial, regulatory and export-related organisations.

Participants will include the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), ICAR institutes, National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR), Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), NABARD, National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA), Export Inspection Council (EIC) and the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).

Presentations by the Central and West Bengal governments will cover the progress of existing schemes and programmes and identify priority areas for future intervention.

Focus on Production, Aquaculture and Infrastructure

The discussions will examine opportunities to increase fish production and productivity while expanding aquaculture and improving the supporting infrastructure.

Key areas include technology adoption, post-harvest infrastructure, processing, capacity building, institutional support and investment promotion. The government also plans to strengthen convergence between Central and State schemes to accelerate implementation.

The meeting will also see the handing over of Administrative Approval for Integrated Reservoir Development in West Bengal, adding reservoir-based fisheries development to the state’s broader sectoral roadmap.

West Bengal’s 25.43 Lakh-Tonne Fish Production Base

West Bengal recorded 25.43 lakh tonnes of fish production in 2025-26, supported by investments of around ₹617 crore under various government schemes.

According to the PIB release, these interventions have focused on production technologies, post-harvest infrastructure, processing and capacity building, while supporting livelihood opportunities for more than 30 lakh fisherfolk.

The Centre has said the state’s existing fisheries ecosystem provides a strong base for additional investments and scaling up ongoing initiatives.

34 Fisheries Production and Processing Clusters

West Bengal is also part of the government’s fisheries cluster development push. The Department of Fisheries has notified 34 fisheries production and processing clusters in the state, including a dry fish cluster in Purba Medinipur.

The cluster approach is expected to support greater integration across production, processing and market access. The Centre is also giving emphasis to Fisheries Farmer Producer Organisations and fisheries cooperatives, along with digitisation initiatives across the fisheries sector.

Strengthening Fisheries Value Chains and Market Linkages

The review is expected to identify interventions that can improve market connectivity and strengthen the fisheries value chain from production to processing and distribution.

The Centre and State will also look at opportunities to increase investment and improve institutional support, with the broader objective of creating a more resilient and competitive fisheries sector.

The PIB release also notes West Bengal’s position as an international border state, where customs and other security agencies continue to have a role in safeguarding the region.

Impact on Hospitality, Seafood and Tourism

The fisheries development roadmap has direct relevance for the seafood and hospitality ecosystem in West Bengal.

Higher fish production, improved post-harvest infrastructure and stronger processing facilities can strengthen the supply chain serving hotels, restaurants, caterers and other food-service businesses, particularly those dependent on fresh and processed seafood.

The proposed focus on market linkages, fisheries clusters and processing infrastructure could also support greater integration between fishing communities, seafood processors, distributors and hospitality businesses.

For tourism, a stronger seafood value chain can complement coastal and regional tourism economies, although the PIB release does not specify any direct tourism projects arising from the review meeting.

Roadmap for Sustainable Fisheries Growth

The September 21 review is expected to strengthen Centre-State coordination and identify priority interventions for the next phase of fisheries and aquaculture development in West Bengal.

The government’s stated focus is on increasing production and productivity, improving fisher livelihoods, strengthening market access, promoting technology-led and sustainable development, and attracting investment across the fisheries value chain.

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